1 in 100?

Since taking over the managerial role, at West Ham United, Sam Allardyce has utilized a 'better the devil you know` policy and recruited several players he`s worked with before.

But, it looks as if his desire to bring another of his experienced ex-players to Upton Park could fail.

Nicolas Anelka`s Chinese adventure looks to have drawn to a close and the French striker, now thirty-four years of age, is looking for a return to European football.

The only problem being that Anelka has, reportedly, held preliminary talks with 25 clubs.

Over in China it`s reported that Anelka was earning a cool £250,000 a week and although he is willing to lower that demand, it`s believed that he`ll not lower it sufficiently for West Ham to be able to afford him.

Although we`re hoping that Big Sam can use his natural charm to snare Anelka, an insider, at Upton Park reckons our chances of landing the Frenchman are about 1 in 100! Not much chance then!